I have an alpha 1000A/266 server that for some months now has stopped displaying video. The machine turns on, I can see the self-test lights on the hard disks lighting up (as well as the tape, floppy, cdrom, etc) but the monitor does not light up. It does not beep at all, and from what I can tell from the disk leds, it does not continue to boot. However occasionally something happens and I do get video/proper booting when I turn it up, but thats rare.
Any ideas?
P.S.: Prior to that I also got error messages of the type "Processor corrected error" and the OS would freeze (I've witnessed this with NetBSD and Tru64 v5 but not with OpenVMS 7.3 or debian etch!).
Depending on if the box is used for commercial purposes, upgrade, I would agree with replacing the unit with something newer. If this is for hobbyist needs, the RX2600's on ebay cheap.
Hi Stephen,
I`m not US-based so paying for shipment for such large computers is somewhat out of the question, not mentioning customs of course.
I also do not use the Alpha server for production purposes, I`m a hobbyist and I get a kick out of using it just for fun. Purchasing a intel machine is a bit irrelevant. I also don't care if the machine is somewhat low-end. If I wanted modern performance and features I would have stuck with some Dual core box with Ubuntu or something.
I mainly want to revive the machine because it hadn't got used that much and its a shame to end up in scraps.
malmberg August 04 2022 No more VAX hobbyist licenses. Community licenses for Alpha/IA64/X86_64 VMS Software Inc. Commercial VMS software licenses for VAX available from HPE.
ozboomer July 20 2022 Just re-visiting.. No more hobbyist licenses? Is that from vmssoftware.com, no 'community' licenses?
valdirfranco July 01 2022 No more hobbyist license...sad
mister_wavey February 12 2022 I recall that the disks failed on the public access VMS systems that included Fafner
parwezw January 03 2022 Anyone know what happened to FAFNER.DYNDS.ORG? I had a hobbyist account here but can longer access the site.
gtackett October 27 2021 Make that DECdfs _2.1A_ for Vax
gtackett October 27 2021 I'm looking for DECdfs V2.4A kit for VAX. Asking here just in case anyone is still listening.
MarkRLV September 17 2021 At one time, didn't this web site have a job board? I would love to use my legacy skills one last time in my career.
malmberg January 18 2021 New Hobbyist PAKs for VAX/VMS are no longer available according to reports. Only commercial licenses are reported to be for sale from HPE
dfilip January 16 2021 Can someone please point me to hobbyist license pak? I'm looking for VAX/VMS 7.1, DECnet Phase IV, and UCX/TCPIP ... have the 7.1 media, need the license paks ... thanks!
